Top 5 Intro Bonus Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Credit card companies are constantly trying to get new customers, and one of the most common ways they try to entice you is through intro bonus offers. We recently highlighted the most lucrative bonuses on the market right now. While getting a $440 statement credit or $900 worth of flights is amazing, most of these huge offers have annual fees attached and require spending at least $3,000 in the first 3 months.

Luckily, there are credit cards that have no annual fees, a more modest $500 spend in the first 3 months and still offer a big intro bonus. Our top-ranked offer doesn’t even require you to have great credit. Here are our current favorite rewards credit cards with no annual fees, low spend thresholds and big intro bonuses:

The Chase Freedom card offers $150 cash back after spending just $500 with your card in the first 3 months. The card also features a 15-month 0% introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers. The Chase Freedom card gives you 5% cash back within certain categories on a quarterly basis, and 1% cash back on every other purchase, which is great because it also doesn’t have a limit on cash back rewards. If you think you might need to carry a balance on your credit card but still want stellar cash back rewards, this is the card for you. And unlike most other cards with great intro bonuses, you don’t need perfect credit to be approved for Chase Freedom. People with good credit (typically around a 700 credit score but as low as the mid to high 600’s) have a chance to be approved for this card, too.

Best Travel Intro Bonus Credit Cards

Barclay Arrival World Mastercard offers 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, equivalent to $200 to spend on any kind of travel. You’ll also earn 2 miles per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Just book your travel using your card and then redeem your miles for a statement credit. If you use your miles to pay for travel, you’ll get 10% of your miles back. As if that weren’t enough, there are also no foreign transaction fees.

The BankAmericard Travel Rewards is another great card for travel intro bonuses. Users earn a 20,000 point online-exclusive bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, which can be $200 off your next travel purchase. It offers 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on any purchases and let’s you redeem your points towards a statement credit for all or a portion of your travel purchases. Also, Bank of America customers automatically get a 10% annual bonus on their total yearly purchases. And with no foreign transaction fees and smart chip technology, this credit card is the perfect no annual fee card for your travel needs.

Best Cash Back Intro Bonus Credit Cards

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards lets cardholders earn $100 bonus after making $500 in purchases within the first 90 days. With 3% cash back on gas, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (for the first $2,500 in combined purchases, then 1%), and 1% cash back on all other purchases, this credit card is a great cash back card that also lets cardholders save money with a 0% introductory APR for 12 billing cycles. Plus, the BankAmericard Cash Rewards card offers Bank of America customers a 10% cash reward bonus when they redeem their cash back rewards directly into their Bank of America checking or savings account.

The Capital One Quicksilver offers a $100 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months and a lengthy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Also, if you don’t like having to do your grocery shopping with one credit card and paying for your gas with another just to take advantage of the highest cash back rewards, Capital One Quicksilver is the card for you. It gives you a fixed 1.5% cash back on all your purchases with no limits. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees, so you’ll save money traveling internationally.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This content was accurate at the time of this post, but card terms and conditions may change at any time. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

The Delta skymiles AMEx is great. Applying for and getting the card gets you 20,000 miles, then I used it to book my cruise and got 20,000 more. Then I connected the card with my regular AMEX and transferred all the points. Now cruising for the new year and out flights from NJ to Miami are free! This is for all the credit card naysayers, don't get them if your going to abuse or not pay!! BTW, years ago I used to get car loans and transfer them to 18 moth no interest cards, paid off 2 vehicles at my leisure, with no interest!

PberthotyDecember 12, 2014

You are behind. American Express offers $250 and Capital One Business offers $500 if you spend $4500 in 3 months. No, the IRS doesn't know and the credit co. doesn't tell them.

DeeDecember 12, 2014

Sounds great. BUT when, at the end of the year, and probably about 10 days after you have filed y our income tax, wait until you get a tax form for the $200, showing it as INCOME!!! Then you have to file an amended tax return, and it may just be about enough to jump[ you to a higher bracket and cost y ou more in tax than the $200!!!!
Don't take it if this sounds like a bad idea.

EdwardNovember 1, 2014

Hi, I log onn to your new stuff on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is witty, keep up the good work!

PanthaleonOctober 8, 2014

Why bother with $100 if Amex gives $250 for getting a new card?

JoeOctober 5, 2014

Every time you apply for a credit card it shows up and hurts your credit report and score. It takes a long time to drop off of your credit report. I lovingly say, be cautious!

texas electricity no creditAugust 22, 2014

Appreciate this post. Let me trry it out.

D.E.K.July 29, 2014

I've had the AMEX Gold Card recommended but when I checked out the transfer rate from the card to several major airlines I found they were heavily discounted by up to 50%. Is there something more to this card to have it recommended or is it just a dud? Thanks.

CollyJuly 15, 2014

John Reynaga...Do you know it is pretty hard to take one seriously when everything they say is interspersed with filth.

sam spadaforeJune 23, 2014

I USE MY CREDIT CARD AS IF IT IS MY BANK CARD.....I PAY FOR ALL I CAN WITH MY CREDIT CARD....AND I TAKE IT OFF MY CHECKING AS IF I USED MY CHECK CARD....THEN I PAY IT ALL OFF BEFORE MY PAYMENT IS DO.....I GET 1 1/2 % BACK ON ALL PURCHASES.....IT IS LIKE SAVINGS.....WHEN I GET TO $100, I CASH IT IN.....WORKS GREAT FOR ME....

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These responses are not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. It is not the credit card issuer's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

About Author

Jeff Hindenach

Jeff Hindenach started his career as a journalist for the San Jose Mercury News and the San Francisco Examiner. He is currently the Director of Content for NextAdvisor and oversees the content and community efforts of the site.

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